Investigation of the antitumor activity of Eremurus spectabilis M. Bieb. (Çiriş herb) plant extracts in the process of hepatocellular carcinogenesis induced experimentally with diethylnitrosamine in rats

In this study, the protective effects of ethanol lyophilized extracts (LBE) and nanoparticle extracts (NBE) of Eremurus spectabilis M. Bieb. (Çiriş herb) at different doses were investigated on the process of hepatocellular carcinogenesis (HCC) induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and thioacetamide (TAA) in rats. Before the experimental application, acute toxicity of the plant extracts was determined with a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight, which is the applicable dose for warm-blooded organisms. The rats used in the study were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 8). To all groups except Normal Control (NK), 150 mg DEN/kg once a month and 200 mg TAA/kg once a week were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) throughout the experiment. LBE and NBE substances were applied daily by gavage method to all groups except NC and Cancer Control (KK) for 90 days. At the end of the experimental application, liver function tests in serum samples, oxidant product and enzyme activities of the antioxidant defense system in liver tissue, and histopathological changes in liver tissues were examined. As a result of the analyses, serum enzyme levels of ALT and AST, which are biomarkers of liver damage, increased in the KK group compared to the NK group; It was determined that these increases in Eremurus spectabilis M. Bieb. were reduced to the level of the NK group in most of the groups treated with different plant extracts. While the increase in the live weights of the animals at the beginning and at the end of the treatment was significantly increased in the NK, KK and KNBE2 groups; No significant increase was seen in other groups. Although there was a general increase in the elements of the antioxidant defense system against increased oxidative stress as a result of the experimental HCC process, an increase was also observed in MDA, which is an important biomarker of oxidative stress. Well; While there was an increase in CAT, GPX, GST, SOD activities and MDA concentration in all experimental groups compared to the NK group, a decrease in GR activity and GSH amount was detected. On the other hand, it was concluded that in the experimental groups supplemented with Eremurus spectabilis M. Bieb. extracts, it suppressed the free radicals formed due to oxidative stress, decreased the MDA level and CAT and GPX activities according to KK, and supported the antioxidant defense system by increasing the GR, GST, SOD activity and GSH concentration. Likewise, it was observed that the 8-OHdG level of the liver tissue of all groups increased compared to the NK group; macroscopic and histopathological images of liver tissue samples were also found to be milder in the herbal treatment groups. According to these results obtained; It was concluded that Eremurus spectabilis M. Bieb. plant may have a protective effect against HCC due to its antioxidant and antitumor substances.